This copy is for your personal non-commercial use only. To order presentation-ready copies of Toronto Star content for distribution to colleagues, clients or customers, or inquire about permissions/licensing, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com

Neighbourhood traumatised as two girls, aged five and nine, shot in Scarborough playground

A Scarborough neighbourhood is in shock after two sisters, ages 5 and 9, were shot at a playground Thursday afternoon.

The two girls were taken by ambulance to Sick Kids Hospital.

Two young girls were rushed to hospital after being struck by bullets in a shooting at a playground on Alton Towers Circle in Scarborough. (Rick Madonik / Toronto Star)

Paramedics confirmed that the younger child was shot in the abdomen and the older girl was shot in the ankle. Both underwent surgery and their conditions have been upgraded to non-life-threatening.

“Obviously, these two young girls are not the intended target. Some cowards came into this neighbourhood and opened fire into a playground,” Toronto police Chief Mark Saunders told reporters at the scene. “ This act is despicable, and rest assured that we’ll put adequate resources to resolve this one.”

Toronto paramedics received a call about 5 p.m. regarding a shooting at Alton Towers Circle, in the area of McCowan Rd. and McNicoll Ave. Seven shots were fired.

Article Continued Below

There were about a dozen children in the park at the time and one man who may have been the target, police said. He has been identified as a person of interest in the investigation.

By 8 p.m., Alton Towers Circle was crowded with police cars and blocked off by incident tape. Residents in the neighbourhood of townhouses stood on their porches and in their driveways to watch the commotion.

Imran Yasar, a father of three, who lives in the neighbourhood said he came home to a street filled with police cars.

“I feel very sad,” said Yasar, who has lived in the area for eight years. “We’ve never had any incident like (this).”

Paula Shipley and her daughter were in their living room when they heard what she described as popping sounds.

Shipley initially thought the sound was hammering. “They’re doing all kinds of construction and everything,” she said.

Article Continued Below

Then her neighbour called and said “two little girls have been shot.”

Shipley said she knows the whole family. “The kids always come and hug me,” she said. “They’re a big family.”

She said she believed it was the first shooting in the neighbourhood involving a child. “It’s unbelievable.”

One woman who lives nearby, described the neighbourhood as “beautiful” and safe — so safe one can sleep on the street and be OK. She said the entire neighbourhood was in shock.

Police are looking for two suspects who were in a car at the time — one driver and one male shooter who approached the park by foot and then escaped with the driver. Police said they are looking for a black 2007-2011 Nissan Versa sedan.

Sgt. Jim Gottell, of 42 Division, said the vehicle was located in a parking lot behind the playground. He said the school the children attend has been notified, but declined to release the name of the institution.

Mayor John Tory said in a statement Thursday night that the shooting was “a totally unacceptable act of gun violence.”

“I cannot imagine the anguish the family and friends of the two girls shot while playing in a park are experiencing tonight. This entire city wants these girls to make a full recovery and this entire city wants justice for them.”

The playground is tucked between the townhouses, bordered by the street and the parking lot. Last night the parking lot at 80 Alton Towers remained entirely cordoned off. Cars were still parked within the boundaries of the yellow caution tape. Police vehicles scattered throughout the neighbourhood included a forensic services van.

Police are canvassing the neighbourhood for video. They are asking anyone with information to call 416-808-2222 or Crime Stoppers.

More from The Star & Partners

LOADING

Copyright owned or licensed by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or distribution of this content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited and/or its licensors. To order copies of Toronto Star articles, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com